Jared Mees Gets Tolbert For 2013

Newly crowned AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees has made an addition to his already potent Rogers Racing team for the 2013 season with the hiring of legendary turner/mechanic Kenny Tolbert.

Tolbert, who spun the wrenches for seven-time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr, will replace Brent Armbuster on the team.

"Brent did a fantastic job for us for the last nine years, but things change in this business and we had to make a change going forward into next year," team owner Craig Rogers said. "I feel with Kenny on board we will be equally successful in our quest for another championship season."

Mees is also excited about the prospect of working with Tolbert.

"I wanted to work with Kenny a few years back, but it didn't work out back then," Mee said. "I'm just so happy going into next year and knowing Kenny Tolbert is going to be my mechanic. I couldn't get a better guy than him."

Tolbert, who earned National #16 as a racer, started his tuning career with Tex Peel working Ricky Graham's XR750s. In 1988, Tolbert was hired as an outside contractor to the Harley-Davidson racing department, and in that capacity began his long and successful association with Carr. Tolbert-built machines have won more than 50 Nationals and he has built and maintained all the motorcycles on which Carr won his seven titles.